Lesson Plan – Ocean in Motion Summary This lesson will introduce students to how the ocean is divided into different zones, the physical characteristics of these zones, and how water moves around the earths ocean basin. Students will also be introduced to organisms with adaptations to survive in various ocean zones. Content Area Physical Oceanography, Life Science Grade Level 5-8 Key Concept(s) • The ocean consists of different zones in much the same way terrestrial ecosystems are classified into different biomes. • Water moves and circulates throughout the ocean basins by means of surface currents, upwelling, and thermohaline circualtion. • Ocean zones have distinguishing physical characteristics and organisms/ animals have adaptations to survive in different ocean zones. Lesson Plan – Ocean in Motion Objectives Students will be able to: • Describe the different zones in the ocean based on features such as light, depth, and distance from shore. • Understand how water is moved around the ocean via surface currents and deep water circulation. • Explain how some organisms are adapted to survive in different zones of the ocean. Resources GCOOS Model Forecasts Various maps showing Gulf of Mexico surface current velocity (great teaching graphic also showing circulation and gyres in Gulf of Mexico), surface current forecasts, and wind driven current forecasts. http://gcoos.org/products/index.php/model-forecasts/ GCOOS Recent Observations Gulf of Mexico map with data points showing water temperature, currents, salinity and more! http://data.gcoos.org/fullView.php Lesson Plan – Ocean in Motion National Science Education Standard or Ocean Literacy Learning Goals Essential Principle Unifying Concepts and Processes Models are tentative schemes or structures that 2. Evidence, models, and explanation correspond to real objects, events, or classes of events, and that have exploratory power. Models help scientists and engineers understand how things work Unifying Concepts and Processes The form or shape of an object or system is frequently 5. Form and Function related to use, operation, or function. Function frequently relies on form. Lesson Plan – Ocean in Motion National Science Education Standard or Ocean Learning Goals Literacy Essential Principle Science As Inquiry Students should develop general abilities, such as A.1: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry systematic observation, making accurate measurements, and identifying and controlling variables. Physical Science A substance has characteristic properties, such as density, B.1: Properties and changes of properties in matter a boiling point, and solubility, all of which are indepen- dent of the amount of the sample. Physical Science The motion of an object can be described by its position, B.2: Motions and forces direction of motion, and speed. That motion can be measured and represented on a graph. Life Science Biological adaptations include changes in structures, C.5: Diversity and adaptations of organisms behaviors, or physiology that enhance survival and reproductive suc- cess in a particular environment. Earth and Space Science Water, which covers the majority of the earth’s surface, D.1: Structure of the earth system circulates through the crust, oceans, and atmosphere in what is known as the “water cycle.” Lesson Plan – Ocean in Motion National Science Education Standard or Ocean Learning Goals Literacy Essential Principle Principle 1 (6-8, B.3., B.4.) B.3: Density differences between masses of water can Earth has one big ocean with many features cause currents. B: Properties of ocean water B.4: The density of ocean water increases as salinity increases and temperature decreases. Principle 1 (6-8, C., C.1., C.2., C.3., C.5., C.7.) C: The ocean is one interconnected body of water that is Earth has one big ocean with many features in constant motion in a global circulation system. C: Ocean Circulation C.1. A global circulation system is generated from tides and different types of currents moving the water. C.2. Deep ocean currents are driven by density differences between masses of ocean water. C.3. The wind, combined with earths rotation drives surface currents in circular gyres in each ocean basin. C.5. Ocean circulation is influences by the positions of basins, continents, and other geologic features C.7. Currents transport heat, nutrients, and organisms throughout the ocean Lesson Plan – Ocean in Motion National Science Education Standard or Ocean Learning Goals Literacy Essential Principle Principle 5 (6-8, A.2.) A.2. Most primary productivity in the ocean takes place at The oceans supports a great diversity of life and the surface where there is plentiful sunlight for ecosystems photosynthesis and nutrients to support growth. Primary productivity Principle 5 (6-8, A.15., A.16., A.18.) A.15. Differences in light, temperature, pressure, density, The oceans supports a great diversity of life and and chemical makeup of this fluid environment lead to ecosystems distinct vertically and horizontally distributed ecosystems. Diversity of ecosystem A.16. Ecosystems exist in layers of habitats and microhabitats due to gradients in specific environmental factors such as temperature, salinity, and oxygen within the water column. A.18. Adaptations to specific environmental conditions can result in vertical and horizontal zonation patterns. Last week you looked at some ways the ocean can be divided into zones. HORIZONTAL ZONES are based on their position along the continental crust. Littoral zone (intertidal zone): area between high tide and low tide. Pelagic zone-the watery zone between the surface and bottom • Neritic zone –the part of the pelagic zone that lies over the continental shelf. • Oceanic Zone-the part of the pelagic zone that extends over water past the continental shelf. Another way oceans are divided into zones is in the vertical direction. VERTICAL ZONES change with depth. The amount of sunlight and hydrostatic pressure are two ways zones are divided in the vertical direction. Sunset Sunrise DAY NIGHT DAY Ocean in Motion: Part 1 • Like the zones of the ocean, we can look at how water moves around the ocean in two ways: – HORIZONTAL Movement or SURFACE CURRENTS – VERTICAL Movement or THERMOHALINE Circulation Surface currents The combination of global wind patterns and forces created by Earth’s rotation result in a large system of circular ocean currents called ocean gyres. Two main factors affect the strength of surface currents: The speed of the wind The distance over which the wind travels (fetch) Thermohaline Circulation “Thermo”=temperature “Haline”=salt “Clines” or places where rapid changes in conditions take place are often the boundaries where a lot of things happen! Lesson Plan – Ocean in Motion Activity: Experiment with density and ocean circulation This activity can be done in the classroom with the materials listed below. Students will manipulate the water in bins with salt water and cold water (different densities) and observe the effects. Students can also simulate the effect wind has on ocean currents and circulation by blowing across the experimental bin of water. Materials • Plastic bin • Paper cups • 60 cc syringe • pipet • Table salt • Food coloring • Water (room temperature and warm) • Ice cubes Experiment with density and ocean circulation: Part 1 • We will work in teams of two. You will need one bin per team. • Fill the plastic bin about half way with tap water. • Take one paper cup and fill half way with water. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and ONLY two drops of food coloring. Mix well. Add ice cubes and let chill a minute. • Fill the 60 cc syringe with HALF your saltwater/dye mixture. • Holding the tip of the syringe at the BOTTOM of the bin with the tap water, slowly push down to release the water. Watch it flow. How does it move? • Fill the syringe with the remaining saltwater/dye mixture. This time, keep the syringe tip right at the surface of the water and gently release into the bin with the tap water. How does it move? Experiment with density and ocean circulation: Part 2 • Rinse your paper cup with tap water. • Fill your paper cup half way with warm water and add ONLY two drops of food coloring. Mix the dye into the water. • Take a pipet and fill with your warm water/dye mix. Hold your filled pipet against the inside plastic of your container just above the tap water. Gently squeeze to release the liquid. It should drip down the side of the container before hitting the water. You and your partner can each use a pipet and continue this process until all the mixture has been added to the bin. • Observe how/where the warm water/ dye mixture moves. Is it the same or different than the cold saltwater mixture? • Create wind by blowing on the surface of your “ocean.” Try to observe what happens to the deep water below the area where you create wind friction. Can you get the saltwater at the bottom to upwell— move toward the surface? Part 3: How are animals adapted to survive in the different zones of the ocean? How do they find food? How do they find mates? How do they avoid predators? What creatures can you create that can stay in the intended zone? Diatom Diatom Dinoflagellate Dinoflagellate Blue green algae Copepod Copepod barnacle Pteropod Ciliate Heteropod PELAGIC animals live in the water column BENTHIC animals live on or near the sea floor Acknowledgements Lesson developed by Dr. Chris Simoniello for Bay Point Elementary. Standards-cross-referencing and formatting by Grant Craig. Questions? Comments? Edits? Contact Dr. Chris: [email protected] .